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GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – From superheroes and villains to elaborate anime costumes, the Greenville Convention Center was packed with energy on Saturday as thousands of fans gathered for the ninth annual Greenville Comic Con.
For many attendees, the event is more than just an exhibition—it is a vital space for self-expression and building community.
Among the thousands of attendees was Ciara Litten Jordan, a local cosplayer dressed as her favorite character from the video game Genshin Impact. For Jordan, the convention offers a unique environment where people can truly be themselves.
“You can easily build friends and since everyone is expressing themselves freely—like everyone around us—everyone’s more genuine about who they are and how they like to be, other than like hiding behind a mask,” Jordan said.
While Jordan has traveled to much larger conventions in the past, she noted that the smaller, regional scale of the Greenville event fosters a closer-knit community.
“Since it’s smaller you can meet people and actually stay in touch with them,” Jordan explained. “Other than big ones—people fly in all the time—this is more of a local place for me.”
That local feel has not stopped the convention from experiencing massive growth. Organizer Sherry Deel, who is celebrating the event’s ninth year, recalled how modest the convention’s beginnings were.
“When we started—well, I can use the costume contest as an example—we had maybe 15 people,” Deel said. “Last year we had a hundred. So, it has really grown.”
For artists and vendors, the Greenville Comic Con provides a platform to turn personal hobbies into thriving businesses.
Tyler Lawrence, a vendor who makes and hand-decorates custom elf ears in various skin tones, started her business as a creative outlet while in school.
“I was just a broke college student, and I was really into anime and cosplay, so it just started off as a hobby, and then it kind of gained traction, and it just became a full-time job,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence emphasized that dedicated conventions are invaluable for niche creators because the audience inherently understands and values the work.
“Here it’s a perfect place—people actually appreciate it,” Lawrence said. “Because I have sold at flea markets, and malls, and stores, and I always have my best sales at anime conventions because they definitely appreciate it.”
With nine successful years in the books, organizers are already setting their sights on the future. Deel noted that the Greenville community has warmly welcomed the convention from day one. Even as organizers have had to scale back on other regional events, Greenville Comic Con remains a staple they are committed to keeping.
Planning is already underway to make next year’s milestone tenth anniversary the biggest celebration yet.
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